Great Brownies Building Great Communities: Meet Shaniqua

The brownies we use in our ice cream come from New York’s Greyston Bakery, where producing great baked goods is part of their greater-good mission to provide jobs and training to low-income city residents.

Meet the Baker: Shaniqua Anderson

Position:

Line Staff

Time at Greyston:

1 year

In Shaniqua's Own Words:

I had just come home from doing a 2-year bid in jail for a mistake that I made, and I’ve paid my debt to society. But because of that, I never finished high school, and I had trouble looking for work because of my criminal record. I was looking for a change and an opportunity, and then I found Greyston Bakery. Besides just a job, I was able to start back on school and earn my GED. And Greyston can help me further my education, in addition to various jobs that help me prepare for the real world.

My family was excited for me. They still don’t know much about Greyston, but with me working here, I go back home with stories, and what I’m experiencing here to further myself. I’m not totally sure about my character, but being here at Greyston really helped me open my eyes and see that I can branch off and better myself, and grown and learn. Whatever I learn here I can take home and try to talk to people and let them know that there is an opportunity here, or anywhere— whatever you put your mind to, you can do it, as long as you stay focused.

I was out there with the wrong crowd, wasn’t sure what I really wanted in life. If it weren’t for Greyston, I probably still would have been doing the things I was doing: getting high and doing nothing. Me being here, it helps me prepare myself to where I’m trying to get to in life. I know that as long as I’m here, I’ll continue to grow and learn and move on. Greyston can help anybody grow. As long as we come together as a team, work together and communicate, we’ll be alright.

Related Flavours

From a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont, to far-off places with names we sometimes mispronounce, the journey that began in 1978 with 2 guys and the ice cream business they built is as legendary as the ice cream is euphoric.

Ben & Jerry’s operates on a three-part mission that aims to create linked prosperity from everyone that’s connected to our business. From marriage equality to cow-friendly farming, there are many issues we hold close to our hearts.